"JSPS External Review Report" was issued.(PDF File 1.22MB)

Chapter V. International Scientific Exchange(1) Overview of Japan’s international scientific exchangeThe Japanese government has concluded scientific and technologicalcooperation agreements and cultural exchange agreements with thegovernments of numerous countries as a means of promoting scientificexchange. The JSPS operates various projects in response to suchintergovernmental agreements and other government measures. Manyprojects are also conducted by the JSPS as one of the institutionsresponsible for implementing Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,Science and Technology (MEXT) policies, while the JSPS also holdsindependent consultations and runs scientific exchange projects withcounterpart institutions in other countries. Japan’s international scientificexchange embraces not only Europe, the US and other developed countriesbut also Asian nations, with which Japan shares geographical, cultural andhistorical ties. At the same time, little exchange takes place with LatinAmerica, the Middle East, and the African nations. The JSPS’s scientificexchange reflects this pattern.(2) Idea and overview of international exchange projectsVigorous international exchange is important in the development ofscientific research, and also has a major role to play in promotingcooperation and mutual understanding among the nations of the world.Accordingly, since its establishment, the JSPS has devoted a significantportion of its resources to expanding and improving international exchange.As mentioned in the “History of the JSPS” section of “2. Overview of theJSPS,” the JSPS began to address international exchange in 1959 with itsprogram for inviting foreign researchers to Japan, followed in 1963 by theUS-Japan Cooperative Science Program. These efforts have subsequentlyevolved down two lines, namely unilateral JSPS programs in which JSPSindependently invites foreign researchers to Japan, and bilateral programsbased on cooperation with foreign counterpart institutions. Further, since1978, the JSPS has also conducted a program specifically targeting Asiannations to strengthen exchange with our neighbors as one of the177